What really *is* missing from trance?

Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
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This is (thankfully) not going to be a long-ass post about every single thing trance is missing. Gonna keep it short and to the point, on the basis of just one track from 1996, and focused on progressive trance.


So, what can we hear here that we can't today?

1. A (relatively) harmonically rich/colourful bassline. It doesn't matter which frequency spectrum it occupies, it's just used as both a bassline and a melodic element, almost. Today, basslines feel like they are engineered to fit tracks, whereas here it feels like it was an element of its own, given some space to do it's own thing. Same as with FX. It's not just white noise.

2. Relentless drive. You can dance to this! At least nod your head to it. Prog has turned slower, more atmospheric and nuanced in the years after that (and still remained great for some time), but at a certain point it lost all its charm and became just dull, repetitive music with no soul. Who says prog can't have drive and energy anymore?
 

Jetflag

Elite Member
Jul 17, 2020
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love all the elements you mentioned. but,
iu


the fact that the vox is slightly...just slightly (but enough to be really annoying) offtone. 😖
 

Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,913 Posts
2,809 Thanked
love all the elements you mentioned. but,
iu


the fact that the vox is slightly...just slightly (but enough to be really annoying) offtone. 😖
That, IMO, is what makes it so awesome. Just works.
 

LostLegend

Senior Member
Dec 5, 2020
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Liverpool, UK
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The old Bedrock remixes are awesome. Luzon - The Baguio Track was another.

Absolutely earth shaking this one! 😁

Kinda feels like a lot of modern electronic music has lost the more theatric side to it compared to a lot of stuff from back then. A whole ton of self indulgence going on here, but the track is all the better for it!
 

Jetflag

Elite Member
Jul 17, 2020
2,701 Posts
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That, IMO, is what makes it so awesome. Just works.
Well to each their own, if there's one thing I can't stand its false /offtone singing 😅 Its one of those things that also makes say: Chicane- offshore, powercircle version the least listable for me.
 
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